In the near future, since I’ll be spending more time in the San Juan Islands, I took advantage of getting to know the art’s community by participating in the Island’s fall studio/gallery tour, Art Stock.

Last weekend I visited several artist studios, galleries and the Island Museum of Art and Sculpture on San Juan Island. The art was as varied as the studios and locations that they were in. The day was beautiful and I got an early start at the Island Museum of Art and Sculpture to check out the juried small sculpture exhibition titled “Out of the Box – Inside the Museum” Sept 25 – Nov 30.

IMA Small Sculpture exhibition art works

The juried works selected for this exhibition were by local artists. There were some truly wonderful pieces so be sure to make a point to visit Friday Harbor and see this show before it ends.

IMA & Sculpture Park web site address is:    http://www.wbay.org/

Small works by Tom Small, Stewart Luckman, Mathew Palmer

After visiting the museum I grabbed the map, GPS device and was off for my island art adventure.

First stop, the Palmer Studios. I met Mathew and Danielle Palmer who were working on a commission with a deadline.  They were gracious with their time and I was totally taken with Mathew’s work. Check out his web site:  www.matthewgraypalmer.com

Palmer Studios Friday Harbor

Danielle is a wonderful photographer, be sure to checkout her images at  www.danielledeanpalmer.com The couple in the background, Bill and Rebbie Bates, recently bought one of Matthew’s large pieces & stopped by to visit during the Art Stock weekend.

Next was the Spaulding Studio. Artists Lewis (photographer) and Nancy (painter) have a lovely studio set in a beautiful garden, a theme I saw throughout the day. It was easy to see where the couple gets their inspiration by surrounding themselves in the natural beauty of their garden.

Nancy and Lewis Spaulding in the doorway of their lovely studio

www.spaulding-studio.com check them out online!

Next stop Lucky Dog Studio where I met Stewart Luckman (sculpture) and ReVae Luckhart (painter).

Stewart Luckman and RaVae Luckhart at Lucky Dog Studio

Both artists are IMA board members and extremely talented. I marveled at the marble carvings and colorful paintings. Their humor was another treat and it was hard to leave the studio  www.luckydogstudio.com

Joking around with Stewart

Next stop, Rainshadow Arts where I discovered  photographer and Benham Gallery fan, Mark Gardner. His lovely wife and talented painter has a way with creating crows that brings them to life. I have admired  her etched and painted gourds for years. I have seen them many times at Island Studios located on Spring Street in Friday Harbor & very happy to finally meet the artist!

Mark Gardner and Dona Reed

www.rainshadow-arts.com

From there I drove to the Island’s west shore where the whales are often sighted. Upon entering the next artist studio I was welcomed by an entrance guard and the beautiful straights of Juan de Fuca.

Always a surprise around every corner in the San Juan's!

After passing security, I visited Constantia and her husband Jan.

Constantia and Jan Smulovtz

We wondered around their property and I heard the stories about the variety of wild life that visit them. Jan has a kayak on the ready so he can paddle out and greet the whales when he sees them. They participate in www.sanjuanislandartists.com.

The last studio I visited, before my first day of art ended, was a wonderful surprise. A studio ran by a dynamic lady, Michelle Shober. She and many of her artistic friends were there. There was dancing, laughter and a true camaraderie that I’ve always associate with the arts.

Studio of Collaborative Creation, Michelle is third from the right

There were many art forms represented, jewelry, photography, painting and mixed media. The friendship and fun was contagious!!!

Photographer Sandy Buckley and Andrea Rose, jewelry artist

You can see these wonderful artists’ work at www.zazzle.com/michelleys and www.zazzle.com/sandybuckley

On Sunday I was joined by the love of my life Fred Housel. We started our tour at Darleen’s Designs and were greeted by pottery artist Lumi Verdugo.

Lumi Verdugo next to a pot she recently made

Lumi was extremely informative when I asked her questions about the different types of ceramic techniques she uses. She has a blog www.lumiverdugo.blogspot.com… log on and read about her current projects

After chatting with Lumi we went into Darleen’s studio and watched her make glass beads while her assistant Ann assemble them into jewelry.

Darleen at work

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was the artist who’s work I have been the recipient of over the years from sweetie Fred, who purchased them at the Roche Harbor artist huts – open during high season.

www.darleensdesigns.com

Before we left, Ann and Darleen stopped working long enough to pose for a photo for me. I asked Darleen to lean forward and she said “into the fire?” I answered that “we must sacrifice what we must!” Fortunately no one suffered too much and we got the photo.

Ann and Darleen taking a short break from making jewelry

After I showed Fred what pieces I thought would look good on me (helping with Christmas ideas) we went on to San Juan Glassworks owned by the multi-talented Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso

Yvonne in her studio

We got a tour from the artist and were impressed by the variety of mediums she was prolific at. If we ever build the “Women’s Hut” (a future blog story) we are most certainly going to be visiting Yvonne so she can design stain glass to install as a door or windows.

She’s happy to receive visitors at her San Juan studio if you email her first at woodenglass@hotmail.com so she can be there to greet you.

The last artist studio we visited was Paula West Pottery. Once again I was really impressed with the quality and level of skill we experienced there. Fred bought a couple of lovely small dishes and I identified a Christmas present for one of my good friends who’s a challenge to buy for.

Paula in her pottery studio

Be sure to email her to if you are on the islands to make an appointment to visit her studio and see her beautiful pottery. If you can’t make it up there take a look at her web site www.paulawestpottery.com. Another great site for gifts!

It’s easy to understand why so many visual artists locate their studios on the islands. The landscape lends itself to inspire the creativity that’s so prevalent up there not to mention long stretches of solitude.

After visiting the studios Fred and I went into Friday Harbor where we had time to visit two galleries before I had to catch my ferry for the mainland.

We stopped at Island Studios on Spring Street first to chat with Claudia the owner and met her featured artist  Jane

Claudia and Jane at Island Studios in Friday Harbor

www.islandstudios.com

The artist and I found we had a common fondness for found rocks and I bought the greatest pair of stone earrings!!!

Fred looking through new artworks with gallery assistant Carla

Kathryn (Kappy) Trigg, who was also a featured artist, stopped in the gallery as I was dashing off to the ferry. She kindly took the time to let me snap a quick photo of her with her new works, thus ending my perfect weekend in my new extended art community.

Kathryn Trigg next to her paintings at Waterworks Gallery in Friday Harbor

You can see more of her art at  www.kathryntrigg.com

FYI the show of new works by Joan Stuart Ross and Kathryn Tgigg are posted at   www.waterworksgallery.com

I’ll keep you posted about what I discover as I transition from the public/commercial life to the private/community one. If you want to see what the San Juan’s have to offer I like this site the best for all around information

http://www.visitsanjuans.com/

Good luck and may your journey be filled with joy, art and laughter!